The photo is of a stall at my church’s Christmas Marketplace which takes place tomorrow and Sunday. I volunteered setting it up tonight. Several vendors have a wide variety of goods. Lunch is sold, along with several desserts made by women at the church. There is also a silent auction with several items donated by church members. It is a big fundraiser for the Bold Women of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church. I overheard some of the vendors tonight who were setting up. One was new and was asking how it was. The other vendors seemed positive, saying their stalls were always set up before they arrived, and the church advertises, so there is usually a lot of foot traffic. It requires an enormous amount of effort by countless women and men volunteers to set it all up. Tonight, I helped drape the dessert serving tables and silent auction tables with lovely white tablecloths that someone must keep in bins at their house all year long. Plus there was red knit fabric that we made into swags topped with giant red bows. All this fabric was stored in four bins. There was an art to making the bows. You had to hold a long swath of red fabric in half, then bring it up to the table so the ends touched the floor, putting your hand around the fabric at table height. You let the loop of fabric above your hand fall, dividing it into two loops which you tied in a bow. Someone with a lot more artistic and mathematical skills must have come up with this process. But it works, and the bows and swags are the same every year. Anyway, Christmas markets around the country — and the world — are a lot of fun to view. Let’s learn more about them.
According to Wikipedia, a Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt — literally Christ Child Market, but the term "Christkind" usually refers to an angel-like "spirit of Christmas" rather than literally the Christ Child — Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, Christkindlimarkt, and Weihnachtsmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany but are now held in many other countries. Christmas markets date to the Late Middle Ages in the German-speaking part of Europe and, in many parts of the former Holy Roman Empire that included many eastern regions of France.
Dresden's Striezelmarkt was first held in 1434 and is considered the first true Christmas market; earlier markets of the season were "December markets." Early mentions of these "December markets" can be found in Vienna in 1298, Munich in 1310, Bautzen in 1384 and Frankfurt in 1393.
In many towns in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the Christmas market or "Weihnachtsmarkt." In southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria, it is called a "Christkind(e)l(s)(i)markt." Traditionally held in the town square, the market offers food, drink and seasonal items for sale from open-air stalls, accompanied by traditional singing and dancing. On opening night at the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, and in some other towns, onlookers welcome the "Christkind" — originally boy Jesus, but often depicted as an angel-like girl — acted by a local child.
Attractions and stalls
Popular attractions at the markets include the nativity scene — a crèche or crib, Zwetschgenmännle (figures made of decorated dried plums), Nussknacker (carved nutcrackers), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread), Bratwurst and Glühwein (hot mulled wine with or without a shot of brandy) or Eierpunsch (an egg-based warm alcoholic drink) — both a highlight of the market for many visitors. Both help stave off the cold winter air which sometimes dips below freezing. More regional food specialties include Christstollen (Stollen), a sort of bread with candied fruit in Saxony and hot Apfelwein (cider) and Frankfurter Bethmännchen (a pastry made from marzipan with almond, powdered sugar, rosewater, flour and egg) in Hesse.
According to the article “A Guide to Christmas Markets in Germany, Austria and Switzerland” at german-way.com, in Europe in the Late Middle Ages special winter markets — often open only for a day or two in early winter — offered townspeople a chance to stock up on food and supplies to tide them over in the cold months. These eventually evolved into Christmas markets.
Augsburg Christkindlesmarkt
Augsburg is a university town located in southwestern Bavaria. Founded by the Romans as Augusta Vindelicorum, the city now has a population of about 260,000. Augsburg is Bavaria’s third largest city and one of the oldest in all of Germany — as is its Christmas market.
Known today as the Christkindlesmarkt, Augsburg’s main Christmas market has borne that name only since 1949. When the market was first mentioned in 1498, it was known as the “Lebzeltermarkt” — a term related to the gingerbread or lebkuchen that was sold there and still is. One of the fair’s unique attractions, a sort of “live Advent calendar,” began in 1977. The Engelesspiel pageant, in which 23 live “angel” figures dressed to imitate an altar by Hans Holbein the Elder appear on the balcony and in the windows of the city hall. Plays are every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6:00 p.m. during December.
Another special feature is the “Augsburger Märchenstraße” that displays dioramas of fairy tales in the windows of the shops that line the market.
Augsburg also has several other, smaller Christmas markets in various parts of the city, including by the main rail station and on Martin-Luther-Platz. Over the years the Christkindlesmarkt itself has had several different names and has moved about in the city until finally settling at its current site on the town hall square in 1963.
Bautzen Wenzelsmarkt
The scenic, small medieval town of Bautzen — pop. 40,000 — lies on the Spree river in the Lausitz region of Germany in eastern Saxony, bordering the Czech Republic and close to Poland. Bautzen is only about 30 miles east of Dresden.
The reason Bautzen is included here is the fact that it has long claimed to be Germany’s — and perhaps Europe’s — oldest continuous Christmas market, founded in 1384. But it is doubtful that the December meat market held back then was a true Christmas market. It may have been one of the winter market precursors that we mentioned above. Nevertheless, the town of Bautzen and its Christmas market are worth a visit. The 2019 Wenzelsmarkt was the 636th market season for Bautzen. The market bears the name of Wenceslas I of Bohemia, who supposedly granted the town its market rights. Bautzen itself is much older than its Christmas market, having commemorated the town’s 1,000th birthday on Sept. 1, 2002. The town’s other claims to fame include being the site of two notorious East German political prisons — one now a memorial — and the 1945 Battle of Bautzen, one of the last and bloodiest battles of World War II. The town is also an important cultural center for the Sorbs, a Slavic people from the region.
Berlin Weihnachtsmärkte
The city of Berlin claims more than 70 markets, which open in late November and close just after Christmas. Berlin has had Christmas markets since the 16th century, which is one reason there are so many there. But there is no large central market as found in many other German cities. The main reason for this is that most of Berlin’s districts were separate towns, not made part of “greater Berlin” until 1920, so each town had its own Christmas market or even several. Then came the Berlin Wall in 1961, which further prevented the development of a large central Weihnachtsmarkt.
Although Berlin’s Christmas fair tradition dates back to at least 1530, all of today’s markets are much more recent. But Berlin has some of Germany’s best Christmas markets — spread out as they may be. No one can or should visit all of the capital’s numerous Christmas markets, so we have selected three of the best for you to consider. Here, in no particular order, are the top three Berlin Christmas markets:
Berlin: WeihnachtsZauber am Gendarmenmarkt
One of the best markets in Berlin has only been around since 2002, but it has a classy, sophisticated atmosphere, while also remaining very traditional. Unlike most markets, the Gendarmenmarkt charges a modest entry fee of one euro, but it’s well worth it — and part goes to charity. You can avoid the admission charge if you enter between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. except on Dec. 24-26 and New Year’s Eve. Children under 12 are free. The WeihnachtsZauber or “Christmas magic” market in the center of Berlin is open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. There are four entrances, one at each corner.
Parts of the market are in heated tents, so visitors can escape the cold. But they also can stroll about in the open air. In addition to the usual Christmas market attractions, Gendarmenmarkt features a stage for musical and other live performances. Its craft booths are generally more upscale than those found at other markets. The cuisine also follows that trend, offering far more than the typical heiße Würstchen or hot dogs.
Berlin: Weihnachtsmarkt vor dem Schloss Charlottenburg
The Christmas market in front of Charlottenburg Palace probably wins the prize for Berlin’s most beautiful. In the background stands the historic palace – colorfully illuminated at night. The royal palatial setting is just the crowning touch for this market, which boasts Berlin’s largest nativity scene or Weihnachtskrippe with large figures carved completely out of wood by Dieter Piroth, a noted woodcarver from Germany’s Hunsrück region. You can also combine a tour of the palace with your visit to the market.
The program includes daily choir presentations, a “golden tent” (Goldened Weihnachtszelt) with gold jewelry, a Christmas bike tour (December 14) and “Berlin’s nicest winter open-air restaurant,” a collection of restaurants that includes “Der Vierte Mann” with Austrian specialties. The restaurants are heated for the comfort of their guests.
Berlin: Spandauer Weihnachtsmarkt
Spandau lies in Berlin’s far west. In Spandau’s Old Town pedestrian zone — Berlin’s longest/biggest — you’ll find the only Christmas market in northern Germany to be included in the Top 5 list published by Munich’s Süddeutsche Zeitung in 2008. Spandau’s Christmas market is the biggest in Berlin, with 400 stands on weekends and almost two million visitors annually. It is also one of the oldest continuous Berlin markets, first established in 1973.
Crafts represented include basket-weaving, candle-making, glassblowing, woodcarving and ceramic-painting. Spandau is also one of the best Berlin Christmas markets for children, with a special Kinderweihnachtsmarkt and a nativity scene with live animals at Reformation Square by the Nicolai Church. Every Wednesday is Family Day, with special prices at most booths. Friday features free concerts. Admission to the market is free as well.
Cologne | Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom
The Rhineland region celebrates Christmas in a big way. Cologne alone has nine major Christmas markets from November 25 to December 23 every year, including the Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt or Harbor Christmas Market on the Rhine and even a Gay and Lesbian Christmas Market. But the star is the market set at the foot of the famous Cologne Cathedral or Kölner Dom, the Weihnachtsmarkt am Dom.
The Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market fills the square next to the cathedral, surrounded by the Roman-Germanic Museum, the Cologne Philharmonic Concert Hall and the famous Dom Hotel. Nearby are Cologne’s well-known shopping districts — “Hohe Straße” and “Schildergasse.” The picturesque Old Town or Altstadt with its rustic brewing houses is also only a short walk away. A special treat found in Cologne at Christmastime is Spekulatius, a special cookie baked for Christmas. One version is unique to Cologne: Kölner Dom Spekulatius® shown in the photo is sold at the market and also at other locations in the Rhineland. Similar treats are the Kölner Heinzelmännchen cookies shaped like the traditional wooden toys.
In addition to the usual booths with Christmas food and drink, arts and crafts, toys and more, the Dom market features stage performances of music and other entertainment. For the kids there’s also an old-fashioned merry-go-round. Besides the cathedral itself, another prominent feature each year is a 25-meter tall Nordmann fir Christmas tree sparkling with 50,000 LED lights.
Dresden Striezelmarkt
2019 marks Dresden’s 585th Striezelmarkt, one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets. The largest of seven Dresden Christmas markets gets its name from an old word for the well-known German Christmas cake now called Stollen or Christstollen — said to have originated in Dresden and still sold at the Striezelmarkt. Since 1994 the Dresdner Stollenfest or “Dresden Christmas Cake Festival” has been a highlight of the market. On the Saturday before the second Advent Sunday, a giant Stollen is baked, ceremoniously sliced up and sold for a good cause.
On sale at the stands are wooden Christmas decorations that originated in this region and in the nearby Erzgebirge or “Ore Mountains” mining region: decorative nutcracker figures, Christmas-candle pyramids, Räuchermänner or “smoking men” incense burners and arch-shaped wooden or metal “Schwibbogen” decorative candleholders for seven or ten candles. A huge Schwibbogen replica with ten giant electric candles stands on one side of the market.
Many observers consider the Striezelmarkt Germany’s most authentic Christmas market. With almost 250 stands spread out across Dresden’s large Altmarkt square, the market does indeed have a more old-world look and feel than many others.
Hamburg Weihnachtsmarkt Rathausmarkt
Hamburg’s “Historic Christmas Market” on the large market square in front of the Rathaus attracts almost three million visitors every year. Not far away, on the Jungfernstieg next to the scenic Inner Alster Lake, there is another, smaller Christmas fair. It may be Hamburg’s biggest market, but it’s not really that historic, having started only in 2000.
A past Rathaus market motto was “Kunst statt Kommerz” or “art rather than commerce,” and the market itself reflects that by selling Nuremburg gingerbread and roasted almonds instead of popcorn, handmade crafts rather than plastic toys and other more traditional gifts. A special Hamburg market trademark is the giant flying Santa sleigh suspended high above the square. There are also colorful Christmas parades through the downtown streets on each of the four Advent Saturdays.
There are many more Christmas markets located in other sections of Hamburg and nearby communities – far too many to describe here. One unusual Hamburg market is the “Santa Pauli” in the Sankt Pauli district. With its wild erotica theme, it’s definitely NOT for the kiddies!
Munich Christkindlmarkt
Munich has many Christmas markets spread across the Bavarian capital city. The best known is the “Christkindlmarkt auf dem Marienplatz” right in the historic city center in front of the Rathaus. Too large to be contained within the Marienplatz square, the market spreads out into neighboring streets.
Although Munich has a long tradition of Christmas markets, the Christkindlmarkt has only been at its current location since 1972, the year Munich hosted the Olympic Games, and the Marienplatz was turned into a pedestrian zone. Other Munich Christmas markets are scattered around various districts and suburbs, including Schwabing (Münchner Freiheit square), the Chinese Pagoda in the English Garden park, the Sendlinger Tor (city gate), the Renaissance Fair-like market on Wittelsbacherplatz and even more.
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
It all begins on the Friday before Advent, when the Nuremberg Christkind “angel” appears on the balcony of the Church of Our Lady to open the holiday season. She officially opens the world-famous Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, which runs until Christmas Eve. Germany’s most famous Christmas fair has been described as a “little town of wood and cloth” in the heart of Nuremberg’s Old Town. This “little town” has more than 180 decorated market stands inviting guests to enjoy traditional “Zwetschgenmännle” goodies made of prunes, other food and drink. They also offer toys, games and other gift ideas.
The Nuremberg Christmas market probably began around 1530. It was in 1545 that the Protestant reformer Martin Luther introduced the custom of the angel-like “Christ Child” bringing Christmas gifts to children – rather than the Catholic Saint Nicholas. Since 1969 the angelic Christkind has been portrayed by a young lady from Nuremberg (age 16 to 19) who is chosen to serve for a two-year term. On Dec. 1, 2013 the “angel” Franziska Handke, an 18-year-old student from Nuremberg, also opened the Christmas market at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, with an English version of Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt opening prologue. Nuremberg’s Christmas fair is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. except on Christmas Eve, when the market closes at 2:00 p.m.
Strasbourg, France Christkindelsmärik
Strasbourg — Strassburg in German — lies in Alsace or Elsass, a region that has been traded between France and Germany several times in history. Which explains the Germanic-sounding name of its oldest Christmas market, the “Christkindelsmärik.” The city is now in France, very close to the German border. You can celebrate an Alsatian Christmas in Strasbourg, the self-proclaimed “Capital of Christmas.” With some 300 “chalets” or stands located on several different squares in the city center, Strasbourg can claim one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe since 1570. The Christkindelsmärik runs from late November to New Year’s Eve on the place Broglie.
Salzburg, Austria Christkindlmarkt
Location is everything, and the “Sound of Music” city of Salzburg has a huge advantage in that department. CNN ranked the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt fourth in the world for Best Christmas Markets of 2010, but it is one of the youngest in German-speaking Europe. In 2014 the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt celebrated its 40th birthday on the Cathedral Square or Domplatz. Although the roots of the Salzburg Christmas market go back to 1491, when it was known as the Tandlmarkt, today’s market in its present form only began in 1974.
Another popular Christmas market in Salzburg is “Der Weihnachtsmarkt am Mirabellplatz.” Located in front of Mirabell Palace, one of the shooting locations for “The Sound of Music” movie, this market has been running since 1990. Known as the “Nikolaimarkt” in the 17th century, the Mirabell fair has a long tradition.
A special feature of the Salzburg Christmas festivities is the so-called Perchtenlauf on December 21 or Raunacht. The “running of the beasts” is an old custom dating back to pagan times. Horrific figures – half animal, half human – stroll along the streets. The traditional masks worn by the participants are an art form created by regional craftspeople. Accompanied by other creatures and witches, the Perchten ring bells and make noise to drive out demons and evil spirits.
Vienna, Austria Christkindlmarkt
Vienna, Austria’s capital, has many Christmas markets worth visiting, but the Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz or City Hall Plaza and the “Vienna Magic of Advent” event in the adjoining Rathauspark are something you should not miss. The Christkindlmarkt, Vienna’s largest Christmas market, has about 150 stalls offering all sorts of Christmas delights. It has been held in front of the city hall since 1975. The market’s giant Christmas tree remains lighted until January 6, although the fair itself is only open until Christmas Eve.
Schönbrunn, Austria Weihnachtsmarkt
The award-winning market at Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, now over two decades old, has one of the most beautiful settings of any Christmas fair anywhere. With about 80 booths ringing the baroque palace’s parade court, the Schönbrunn Christmas and New Year’s Market also supports the SOS Kinderdorf, an Austrian children’s home project.
More Christmas markets in and around Vienna include: the Adventmarkt at the Karlskirche or Karlsplatz, the Spittelberg Weihnachtsmarkt, the Dornbacher Adventmarkt and the Weihnachtsschau und Adventmarkt in the warm greenhouses of the Hirschstetten flower gardens or Blumengärten, the Weihnachtsdorf or Christmas village in front of Belvedere Palace and the old-fashioned Altwiener Christkindlmarkt on Freyung square in Vienna’s central Altstadt or Old Town.
Other Austrian cities and towns also have their own Christmas markets. Some of the biggest are in Graz, Linz, Innsbruck and Villach, but almost any medium-sized town in Austria will have at least one Weihnachtsmarkt.
Besides Glühwein, the favorite Christmas drink in Austria is Weihnachtspunsch, a hot wine-and-rum punch made with lemon and orange peels, brown sugar, cinnamon and other spices. There are many different recipes, including a non-alcoholic version. It is a simpler variant of the classic Feuerzangenbowle — “fire tongs punch” or “burnt punch” — which requires more elaborate preparation.
Basel, Switzerland Basler Weihnacht
Basel, in the “Three Lands Triangle” or Dreiländereck near the French and German borders, has one of Switzerland’s biggest and oldest Christmas markets, with almost 200 booths spread across two locations, the Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz on Basel’s Old Town. The “Basler Weihnacht” fair is also considered one of the prettiest Christmas fairs, not just in Switzerland, but in all of Europe.
Bern, Switzerland Zibelemärit
The Advent season in the Swiss capital of Bern begins with the one-day-only Zibelemärit or Onion Market on the fourth Monday of November. Dating from the mid-19th century, this event began when farmer’s wives in the region brought onions and other produce to the capital to sell on the first day of the city’s medieval Martinmas fairs, which celebrated the coming of winter. A few days later an artists’ market on Münsterplatz and a more traditional Christmas market on Waisenhausplatz welcome visitors until Christmas Eve.
Lucerne, Switzerland Christmas markets
Lucerne has several Christmas markets, including what it claims is the “highest Christmas market in Europe,” atop nearby Pilatus Peak. The Christkindlimarkt is located in the lower level of Lucerne’s main rail station. The Lozärner Weihnachtsmärt is on the Franziskanerplatz or Franciscan Square.
Montreux, Switzerland Noël
Set on the scenic shores of Lake Geneva in French-speaking Switzerland, Montreux — pop. 25,000 — has a popular Christmas market, Montreux Noël, that attracts over 400,000 visitors. In recent years the market has featured a special Christmas village for the kids. For the adults there is vin chaud, the French version of Glühwein and many international handcrafted gift items. The 2013 market featured a new Lumberjack Village or Village des Bûcherons with hot tea and wood-fired pizza.
Zurich Christkindlmarkt
The Zurich Christmas market is located in the main hall or haupthalle of the central train station or Hauptbahnhof. You’ll find around 150 festively decorated “Alpine chalets” or stands offering hot mulled wine and a wide variety of local crafts and foods. Over 7,000 Swarovski crystal ornaments adorn a gigantic Christmas tree. At various times there are live Christmas music performances. Children will enjoy the appearance of Samichlaus, the Swiss version of Santa, on December 6 — St. Nicholas Day. Note: Although the market is within the main hall, dress warmly because the hall is not heated.
Claiming to be Zurich’s oldest Christmas market, the Wiehnachtsmärt on the Hirschenplatz or square on Niederdorfstrasse is a nice traditional market in Zurich’s Old Town. Open from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, only until 6:00 p.m. on weekends. Closed on Dec. 15 for the city’s annual New Year’s running event. Another Zurich Wiehnachtsmärt is on another square: the Werdmühleplatz. It offers the usual attractions plus a children’s merry-go-round. A unique feature is the “Singing Christmas Tree,” a pyramidal structure upon which various regional choirs sing Christmas carols and other songs.
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